Fertilizer Type Research Articles

Influence of Fertilization Methods and Types on Wheat Rhizosphere Microbiome Community and Functions.

To investigate the effects of fertilization methods and types on wheat rhizosphere microorganisms, macroelement (N, K) and microelement (Zn) fertilizers were applied on wheat by foliar spraying (FS) and root irrigation (RI) methods in a field experiment. The results indicated that fertilization methods and types can have significant impacts on the diversity and structure of rhizospheric microorganisms in wheat. The application method produced more significant effects than the fertilizer type. RI-N played a more important role in improving the wheat yield and quality and affected the changes in some nitrogen-fixing bacterial communities. Finally, eight strains of bacteria belonging to Pseudomonas azotoformans and P. cedrina showed positive effects on the growth of wheat seedlings. Overall, our study provides a better understanding of the dynamics of wheat rhizosphere microbial communities and their relation to fertilization, yield, and quality, showing that plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria with nitrogen fixing may be a potential approach for more sustainable agriculture production.

Slow-release Fertilizer Application on Silk (Falcataria moluccana Miq.) and Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Plant Growth and Yield in Agroforestry System

The aim of this experiment is to evaluate the impact of chitosan-NPK slow-release fertilizer (CS-NPK SRF) on the germination and growth of silk tree and rice in different planting patterns, as well as to assess the nutrient release rate of the SRF. The germination test followed a complete randomized design, incorporating a single factor (fertilizer type), namely no fertilizer (F0), SRF CS 0.5% weight 0.03 g (F1), SRF CS 0.5% 0.01 g (F2), SRF CS 0.7% 0.03 g (F3), SRF CS 0.7% 0.01 g (F4), and conventional NPK fertilizer (F5). The growth test utilized a 2-factor split-plot design, with the primary factor being the planting pattern (sengon/rice monoculture-SM/RM and sengon-rice agroforestry-AF) and the second factor being the fertilizer type. Results indicate that F2 and F4 yielded the highest germination and growth values in both plants, although not significantly different from F0. These findings suggest that CS-NPK SRF has the potential to enhance plant growth. The AF pattern exhibited lower growth compared to SM/RM, attributed to plant competition. CS-NPK SRF demonstrated a slower nutrient release (47.65% N; 85.01% P; 31.80% K) compared to conventional fertilizers. This slow release could potentially reduce nutrient loss to the environment while enhancing plant nutrient absorption.

Unveiling the Potential of Coffee Grounds, Banana Peels and Egg Shells as an Eco‐Friendly and Sustainable Fertilizer

AbstractCoffee grounds, along with other organic materials like eggshells and banana peels, offer a promising solution for improving food security. This research brings innovation to the forefront by reimagining kitchen waste as a valuable resource for sustainable agriculture, introducing a multicomponent fertilizer approach, exploring different application methods, and focusing on a staple crop, ultimately contributing to the broader discourse on food security and environmental conservation. This study evaluated the effect of coffee grounds, eggshells, and banana peels as fertilizers on the growth and germination of Phaseolus vulgaris (common bean) plants. Two types of fertilizers are prepared: a dry mixture and a wet mixture obtained by boiling the dry mixture in water for 15 min. The height of the plants is measured weekly over a period of four weeks. The results indicated that the wet fertilizer mixture is more effective in promoting plant growth than the dry mixture. Plants that received the wet fertilizer mixture exhibited a higher growth rate and reached a greater height than those that received the dry mixture. It can be concluded that the wet fertilizer mixture is more efficient in promoting the growth of Phaseolus vulgaris plants than the dry mixture.

Evaluation of different fertilizer sources for sustainable carrot production in Tehuledere district, northern Ethiopia

The demand for organic agriculture has been growing due to concerns about the environmental and health impacts of chemical-intensive farming. The study aimed to investigate the effects organic fertilizers on carrot (Nantes) growth and yield in Tehuledere district. The experiment was conducted at two sites (Gobeya and Libannos) using four fertilizer types (vermicompost, conventional compost, mixture of the two, and inorganic fertilizer) and a control. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications, and data were analyzed using R-software. The study analyzed various growth (emergence percentage, plant height, leaf number, fresh weight, and dry weight of leaves), and yield (root length, root diameter, fresh weight of roots, marketable root yield, unmarketable root yield, and total root yield) parameters. Generally, fertilizer application improved (p < 0.001) growth and yield compared to the control. Vermicompost and inorganic fertilizer (NPSB) showed similar results (p > 0.001) but the highest values (p < 0.001) for most of the parameters (marketable yield was 41.7 t/ha±0.76 for vermicompost and 42.5 t/ha±1.14 for NPSB). However, NPSB could pose negative environmental impact that could not result in sustainability if used in excess and inappropriate (method and time) in particular. Therefore, carrot production using vermicompost is recommended for farmers of Tehuledere district and similar agroecological areas to enhance productivity while contributing to sustainable agriculture. The results have implications for policy makers, researchers, and farmers interested in promoting environmentally friendly and sustainable carrot production.

Multi-nutrient fertilization-based analysis of fruit quality and mineral element composition during fruit development in Merlot wine grapevine1

Mineral elements play a crucial role in plant growth and development. Ensuring the proper supply of these elements in soil and maintaining an optimum range within plants is necessary for achieving optimal fruit yield and quality. Unfortunately, the application of NPKCaMg fertilizers to fruit trees is often either insufficient or excessive, leading to both environmental degradation and reduced fruit yield and quality. To assess the impact of different fertilizers on the biological-related traits of grape fruit and its response to nutritional elements, Merlot grapevines were subjected to multi-nutrient fertilization over four consecutive growing seasons from 2018 to 2021 in Penglai District, Yantai, China. Principal component analysis revealed that T11 treatment, consisting of N3P3K1Ca2Mg4, was the most suitable fertilizer type and application design for this experiment. The application of T11 resulted in a significant decrease (24.29%–35.20%) in fertilizer usage, and it resulted in an increase in several important traits such as 100 grain weight (HGW), number of seeds (SN), total soluble solids (TSS), total seed phenols (SP), seed flavanols (SFI), and seed tannins (ST) by 3.28%–12.84%, 3.76%–20.03%, 1.11%–14.95%, 2.16%–23.69%, 11.00%–32.78%, 1.07%–23.35%, respectively, compared to T14 (N4P2K3Ca1Mg4), T16 (N4P4K1Ca3Mg2), T13 (N4P1K4Ca2Mg3), and T15 (N4P3K2Ca4Mg1) treatments. Flowering and fruiting behavior exhibited a considerable demand for NPK, with a higher requirement for K and B during fruit growth and development compared to the other mineral elements. Excessive K in soil was found to enhance the competitive inhibition of Ca uptake by Merlot grapevines. The optimum ranges of mineral element content for total peel phenols (PP), peel flavanols (PFI), total peel flavonoids (PFD), total seed phenols (SP), and seed tannins (ST) were primarily influenced by grape variety and nutritional analysis method. In conclusion, the careful selection of NPKCaMg fertilizer and its meticulous application to soil at an optimum range of mineral elements are critical for grapevine growth and development.

Crop Prediction and Fertilizer Recommendation Using Regression Algorithms

Abstract: India, a nation with a strong agricultural backbone, relies heavily on the forecast for crop production and agroindustrial products for its economy. The domain of data mining is gaining traction as a valuable tool in the analysis of crop yields. Predicting yields is a crucial aspect of agriculture, as it allows farmers to anticipate their potential harvest. This involves the examination of various relatedfactors such as the pH level, which indicates soil alkalinity. Other important elements include the percentages of essential nutrients like Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K), as well as the temperature, rainfall, and humidity levels in the region. These data attributes are examined and used to train a range of appropriate machine learning algorithms to create a predictive model. This system aims to provide accurate crop yield predictions and offer users specific recommendations on the type of fertilizer required. The predictions are considering the atmospheric and soil parameters of the territory, with the goal of enhancing crop yield and thereby increasing the farmer’s revenue

Population growth of Daphnia sp. with various types of organic fertilizer

The Daphnia sp. population can be increased using various types of organic fertilizers. This study aimed to analyze the effect of organic fertilizer vermicompost, quail feces, and Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae compost on maintenance media on the growth of Daphnia sp. and identify the best dose. This research is an experimental study with a completely randomized design (CRD) with treatment K (control or no organic fertilizer), treatment A (addition of vermicompost organic fertilizer 2.4 g/l), treatment B (addition of quail feces organic fertilizer 2.4 g/l), treatment C (addition of fly larvae compost organic fertilizer 2.4 g/l). Water quality variables (temperatur, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), color, and odor). The data were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The data were analyzed using SPSS 22. The results of this study showed that the provision of organic fertilizer through the maintenance media had an effect (P &lt;0.05) on the growth of Daphnia sp. The highest population was in treatment A (Quail Feces dose of 2.4 g / L) as many as 353 tails and the lowest in treatment K (No Dose) as many as 132 tails. The results of the water quality analysis of the morning temperatur were in the range–26-28ºC. afternoon temperatur was obtained 27-28ºC, then for morning pH ranged from 7.1-7.5 and afternoon pH obtained 7.3-7.6 while the average DO obtained 6.8 mg/L. The best dose in this study was treatment A with organic fertilizer 2.4 g/l.

Evaluation of fertilizer type and rate of application on tomato fruit quality

Growing vegetables is seen as a promising method for ensuring sustainable food and nutrition security in the tropics. The rise in demand for tomatoes in this region has influenced production practices and strategies to meet local and export needs. Many tropical countries have expanded their tomato cultivation to fulfill local demand and potentially generate income from exports, as they have become increasingly important for food and nutrition security. Various successful production systems have been implemented around the world to grow tomatoes. However, Zimbabwean farmers are experiencing decreased yields and shorter shelf lives of tomatoes due to insufficient use of calcium, despite the pivotal role agrochemicals have played in boosting global agricultural production. This study aimed to assess the impact of different types and levels of basal chemical fertilizers on tomato quality. The three types of basal fertilizers used were Compound D [7:14:7], Gypsum, and a combination of both in equal proportions. These fertilizers were applied at rates of 50, 100, and 200 kg/ha. A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications was utilized for the study. Tomato quality parameters such as ripe fruit count, size, disease prevalence, firmness, total soluble solids, weight loss, and shelf-life were measured. The results revealed significant differences (p&lt;0.05) between the application rates and types of basal chemical fertilizers. The combination of Compound D and Gypsum had the most noTable effect, as the addition of calcium and sulfur improved the quality of tomato fruits. Ultimately, it was concluded that the best tomato quality was achieved when using a combination of Compound D and Gypsum at a rate of 200 kg/ha. These findings highlight the urgent need to promote the use of gypsum in tomato production

Changes in radioactive contamination of living ground cover plants in black alder stands since the Chornobyl accident in the forests of Zhytomyr Polissia

The results of research conducted over the past 30 years in the forest ecosystems of Zhytomyr Polissia, in the areas affected by radioactive contamination as a result of the Chornobyl accident. In the course of the research carried out at the Poliskyi Branch of the Ukrainian Research Institute of Forestry and Forest Melioration named after G. M. Vysotsky, methods of forest radioecology, botany, and forestry were used, and the results were processed using statistical analysis. The peculiarities of radioactive contamination of the most common herbaceous and dwarf-shrub plants in the stands of black alder in damp fairly fertile site types were studied. As indicators characterizing these features, we used 137Cs specific activity in the aboveground part of plants and the transfer factor of radionuclide to plant phytomass from the soil. It was found that the highest values of the transfer factor of 137Cs from the soil to the aerial part of the plant phytomass in 1999 are characteristic of ferns: for Dryopteris cristata (L.) A. Gray (276.9 m2∙kg-1∙10-3), Dryopteris carthusiana (Vill.) H. P. Fuchs (236.5 m2∙kg-1∙10-3), Thelypteris palustris Schott (171.2 m2∙kg-1∙10-3), and Athyrium filix-femina (L.) Roth (164.0 m2∙kg-1∙10-3). It was found that among the higher plants, the highest values of this indicator are for the Agrostis stolonifera L. (263.5 m2∙kg-1∙10-3), Galium uliginosum L. (155.8 m2∙kg-1∙10-3) and Maianthemum bifolium (L.) F. W. Schmidt (155.4 m2∙kg-1∙10-3). It was found out that the previously noted trends and interspecific differences in radionuclide accumulation persist after 22 years. It is shown, using the example of three plant species (Lysimachia vulgaris L., Galium uliginosum, and Maianthemum bifolium), that during the observation period (1991-2021) there is a gradual decrease in radioactive contamination of living ground cover plants and the intensity of 137Cs intake into them. This is explained by the decay of the radioactive element, its entry into various perennial components of forest ecosystems, some fixation in the soil, and, possibly, its removal beyond their borders. The established decrease in 137Cs specific activity in the aboveground part of plants is described by linear equations: for Lysimachia vulgaris – Am = –605.34a + 3745.6; R² = 0.98; Galium uliginosum – Am = –5107.5a + 30698; R² = 0.99; Maianthemum bifolium – Am = –4661.6 a + 28280; R² = 0.98. The identified peculiarities of radioactive contamination of various plant species, changes in 137Cs specific activity in them, and transfer factors of the radionuclide from the soil in stands of black alder in damp fairly fertile site types can be used in scientific works to predict possible changes in its redistribution within the ecosystem, as well as in the practice of harvesting medicinal plants in areas contaminated with radionuclides.

Soil bacterial community characteristics and its effect on organic carbon under different fertilization treatments.

By implementing small-scale and efficient fertilization techniques, it is possible to enhance the activity of microorganisms, thereby improving soil carbon sequestration and ecological value in agriculture. In this study, field experiments were conducted using various types of fertilizers: organic fertilizer, microbial fungal fertilizer, composite fertilizer, and an unfertilized control (CK). Additionally, different dosages of compound fertilizers were applied, including 0.5 times compound fertilizers, constant compound fertilizers, 1.5 times compound fertilizers and CK. Using advanced technologies such as Illumina MiSeq high-throughput sequencing, PICRUSt2 prediction, Anosim analysis, redundancy analysis, canonical correlation analysis, and correlation matrix, soil organic carbon (SOC) content and components, bacterial diversity, metabolic functions, and interaction mechanisms were examined in different fields. The results showed pronounced effects of various fertilization modes on SOC and the bacterial community, particularly in the topsoil layer (0-20 cm). Organic fertilizer treatments increased the richness and diversity of bacterial communities in the soil. However, conventional doses and excessive application of compound fertilizers reduced the diversity of soil bacterial communities and SOC content. Additionally, different fertilization treatments led to an increase in easily oxidizable organic carbon (EOC) contents. Interestingly, the relationship between SOC components and soil bacteria exhibited inconsistency. EOC was positively correlated with the bacterial diversity index. Additionally, Chloroflexi exhibited a negative correlation with both SOC and its components. The influence of metabolismon primary metabolic functions on the content of SOC components in the soil was more notable. It included seven types of tertiary functional metabolic pathways significantly correlated with SOC components (p < 0.05). These findings enhance the understanding of the relative abundance of bacterial communities, particularly those related to the carbon cycle, by adjusting agricultural fertilization patterns. This adjustment serves as a reference for enhancing carbon sinks and reducing emissions in agricultural soils.

Bottom-up population regulation of Orthotomicus erosus on irrigated and fertilized Pinus eldarica: A comprehensive field study

The Mediterranean pine engraver, Orthotomicus erosus (Wollaston), is a destructive pest that has caused a significant threat to planted pine forests worldwide through feeding on phloem, disrupting sap flow and transmitting phytopathogens. This study investigated the bottom-up effects of different irrigation and fertilization treatments on the mean numbers of O. erosus immature stages (egg, larva and pupa) and adults in the pine forest of western Tehran, Iran. A total of 72 Pinus eldarica Medw. trees were selected in Chitgar Forest Park. The experiment was arranged as a split plot in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The irrigation treatments included non-irrigation, low-irrigation (30 liters of water per month) and high-irrigation (30 liters of water per two weeks) were assigned to main plots. Moreover, fertilizers of nitrogen 100 kg/ha, superphosphate 100 kg/ha and potassium sulfate 65 kg/ha were applied in subplots. Then, the total number of O. erosus life stages was counted under the bark samples (two 10 × 10 cm bark samples) separated from the pine trees. Results showed that irrigation and fertilization significantly affected the mean number of O. erosus from egg to adult stages. Irrigation had a more pronounced effect on the pest population than fertilization. The highest number of different life stages occurred in non-irrigated pines regardless of fertilization. Moreover, fertilizer effects were influenced by irrigation, where high irrigation negatively affected superphosphate + potassium sulfate fertilized pines and significantly increased the mean numbers of different O. erosus life stages compared to low-irrigation treatment. The lowest mean number of egg (11.95 ± 0.17), larva (8.62 ± 0.21), pupa (10.38 ± 0.13) and adult (9.04 ± 0.23) per bark samples occurred in superphosphate + potassium sulfate at low-irrigation plots. Interestingly, nitrogen fertilization increased pest density compared to unfertilized trees. Furthermore, despite the low mean number of different O. erosus life stages in superphosphate + potassium sulfate treatments, the nitrogen combination increased the pest density in both low and high-irrigation plots. These findings highlighted the importance of considering the interaction between irrigation and fertilizer types in the integrated pest management program for O. erosus.

Optimizing nitrogen use efficiency of six forage grasses to reduce nitrogen loss from intensification of tropical pastures

We aimed to evaluate the effect of different types and rates of nitrogen (N) fertilizers on plant biomass production, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions of six tropical forage grass cultivars. This field study was conducted in Colombia under tropical conditions in two phases. Phase 1: we evaluated the effect of different types of N fertilizers (urea; calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN); and urea-ammonium sulfate (U-AS) using a single dose of application of 25 kg N ha−1 cut−1, along with a control treatment for each grass without application of fertilizer) on forage dry matter, crude protein, N uptake, N surplus, and NUE. The study focused on six tropical forage grass cultivars: Urochloa humidicola cv. Tully, U. hybrid cv. Cobra, U. hybrid cv. Cayman, Megathyrsus maximus cv. Mombasa, Cynodon nlemfuensis cv. Stargrass and U. decumbens cv. Basilisk. We found that the biomass production and protein content of each forage grass cultivar responded differently to different N fertilizer types. In consequence, the NUE of each forage grass cultivar was strongly affected by the type of N fertilizer applied. For example, Cayman showed a NUE of 87.8% with CAN and 40.4% with urea, while the NUE of Basilisk with CAN was 8.0% and 76.4% with urea. Maximum NUE values were obtained for Stargrass and Cayman with CAN (91.7 and 87.8%, respectively) and for Mombasa with urea (89.9%). Phase 2: we selected three combinations of forage grass cultivars and type of N fertilizer, and we evaluated the impact of four rates of N application (0, 10, 20, and 30 kg N ha−1 cut−1) on forage production and N2O emissions upon fertilization. In general, higher N fertilization rates increased the accumulated N2O emissions. However, we observed that the fertilization of Stargrass and Cayman grass with a rate of 20 kg N−1 cut−1 and Mombasa grass with a rate of 30 kg N−1 cut−1 were more beneficial than the other rates of N fertilization based on the biomass production and amount of N2O emitted are considered. This study highlights the importance of optimizing NUE in tropical pasture systems using an appropriate design of N fertilization strategy. Inappropriate N fertilizer use can significantly increase the N losses (e.g., through N2O emissions, with a potential contribution from N leaching). These findings provide valuable information for sustainable intensification of productive tropical livestock systems to spare land for other uses.

Effect of Micronutrient Fertilization on Production and Soil Fertility in Maize

Balanced fertilization in both macro and micronutrients is one strategy in soil fertility management to prevent microelement deficiencies. This fertilization type could increase plant growth and production as well as maintain soil fertility. This research aimed to examine the role of micro fertilization on supporting plant productivity and soil fertility. Research that was conducted in Dau, Malang, East Java was designed using a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 9 treatments, ie B0 (Control), B1 (100% standard fertilization), B2 (100% standard fertilization and 50% ZnCuB), B3 (100% standard fertilizer and 100% ZnCuB), B4 (100% standard fertilizer and 150% ZnCuB), B5 (75% standard fertilizer and 50% ZnCuB), B6 (75% standard fertilizer and 100% ZnCuB), B7 (75% basic fertilizer and 150% ZnCuB), and three replications of each. 100% of basic fertilization referred to 440 kg Urea/ha, 250 kg SP-36/ha, and 350 kg KCl/ha, while 100% micro fertilizer ZnCuB (4:6:6) was 19 kg/ha. Reducing 25% of basic fertilizer combined with 150% of micro fertilizer (28.5 kg/ha ZnCuB) resulted in a significant increase in plant growth and production by 54% to control. Furthermore, micronutrient fertilizers could maintain soil fertility as well as prevent soil acidification.

Impacts of greenhouse fertilization and planting season on survival and reproductive potential of Silene regia transplants

Restoration of rare plants is essential to maintain species diversity in natural areas. The methods used to grow and plant these rare plants for restoration impact seedling health and potentially the success of restoration attempts. We evaluated how different fertilizers and planting seasons impacted survival and reproductive potential for transplants of Silene regia. Plants were grown from seeds in greenhouses with four fertilizer treatments: slow‐release, liquid biweekly (every other week), liquid weekly, and control (no fertilizer). Transplanting was conducted in spring and fall for 2 years (2010 and 2011) at three sites. Number of leaves on transplants were counted before planting. Plants were counted over the growing seasons for 8 years (2010–2017) to determine survival and stem elongation (an indication of reproductive potential). Transplants produced the most leaves with slow‐release, followed by both liquid fertilizers and the fewest leaves with no fertilizer. The fertilizer type had a limited effect, but plants grown with fertilizer had increased survival and stem elongation relative to no fertilizer when a fertilizer effect was found. Planting season had a more consistent effect, with spring having higher survival and stem elongation. Sites differed for all measured parameters. Year‐to‐year survival was initially high, then dropped after 3–5 years, and less than 20% of plants remained by 2017. These findings demonstrate the value of pre‐planting fertilizer to provide vigorous transplants and planting season for reintroductions. Finally, multiple sites and long‐term monitoring are important to ensure success for reintroductions of rare species such as S. regia.

Estimating soil N2O emissions induced by organic and inorganic fertilizer inputs using a Tier-2, regression-based meta-analytic approach for U.S. agricultural lands

Consistent methods are essential for generating country and region-specific estimates of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions used for reporting and policymaking. The estimates of direct N2O emissions from U.S. agricultural soils have primarily relied on the use of emission factors (EFs, Tier-1) and process-based models (Tier-3). However, Tier-1 estimates are relatively crude while Tier-3 calculations can be costly. This work addressed this gap by developing a Tier-2, regression-based approach by leveraging a meta-database containing 1883 field N2O observations together with environmental and management covariates from 139 studies. Our results estimated higher monthly soil N2O emissions (N2Om, kg N/ha) during the growing season (0.38) than the fallow period (0.15), highlighting the importance of considering measurement periods when utilizing meta-databases for analyzing N2O drivers. Significantly different N2Om were found for tillage practices (conventional > no-till: 0.42 > 0.27), fertilizer type (liquid > solid manure: 0.55 > 0.32), and soil texture (fine > coarse: 0.36 > 0.22). The comparisons of the influence of crop type and rotation, water management, and soil order on N2O emissions are complicated by regional data availability and interactions among different factors. Additionally, the finding that N2O emissions reported based on area (N2Om), N input rate (EF), or yield can alter treatment rankings underscores the need to establish transparent criteria for rewarding or discouraging regionally-based management practices using N2O metrics. Finally, we show how General Linear Models (GLMs) can be used to estimate country and regional Tier-2 N2Om using a suite of covariates. Our GLMs identified tillage, water management, N input type and rate, soil properties, and elevation as the most influential covariates for the conterminous U.S. The limited accuracy of regional-scale GLMs, however, suggests the need to further improve the quality and availability of GHG and covariate data through concerted efforts in data collection.

Prediction Model of Sacha Inchi Crop Development Based on Technology and Farmers’ Perception of Socio-Economic Factors

Background: The sacha inchi plant contains nutrients that are beneficial for health, cosmetics, and food products, so it has the potential to be developed economically. The development of sacha inchi involves agricultural technology, which includes the treatment of fertilizer types that need to be studied in maintaining production and productivity. Objectives: This study aims to analyze the optimal type of fertilizer treatment on crop yields and the influence of farmers’ perceptions of socio-economic factors in the development of sacha inchi plants so that an optimal sacha inchi development prediction model is formed. Methods: The partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) method was applied in the study to analyze the effect of perception of socio-economic factors, and the adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) method was applied to predict the optimal fertilizer treatment model. Findings: The results of the PLS-SEM analysis showed that farmers’ perceptions of sacha inchi cultivation considered economic factors at a percentage of 50.66% and social factors at a percentage of 49.33% and had a linear relationship with the economic development of sacha inchi with a value of 0.832, although simultaneously, 77.7% was influenced by economic factors and social factors, and 22.3% was influenced outside these two factors. The ANFIS prediction results reinforced the results of the analysis, which stated that fertilizer treatment based on sacha inchi plant waste in the form of seed shells produced greater harvest weight compared with goat manure fertilizer. If farmers wanted to use a combination fertilizer, the used composition was 80% sacha inchi seed shell waste and 20% goat manure fertilizer or other materials; if the used composition was otherwise, the yield tended to decrease. This research contributes to the theory of production sustainability by integrating the optimal fertilization factor as a decision support unit in the model. Practically, this study recommends the application of fertilizer from the basic ingredients of sacha inchi seed shells to create a sustainable sacha inchi processing industry that ensures production stability, strengthens the agribusiness ecosystem, and develops the economic potential of sacha inchi and reduces the operational costs of sacha inchi farming by reducing the cost of purchasing fertilizer and supporting the circular economy model.

Pelatihan Pengelolaan Lahan Berkelanjutan Berbasis Pengalaman dan Penggunaan Aplikasi Sipindo

Horticultural plant products are daily-consumed need. These plants have developed with various cultivation techniques, i.e the selection of fertilization type. In additional to anorganic synthetic fertilizer, farmers also use the organic fertilizers in their farm. In the digital 4.0 era, information about agricultural cultivation are available in various media, such as via cell phones. Sipindo Apps is one of the specific location-based for agricultural application. The cultivation information of certain crops in Sipindo application can be used to implement sustainable land management. The aim of this activity is to disseminate the information about sustainable land management and the use of the Sipindo application to the community, students, farmers, and practitioners. This activity was delivered through structured training and field practices. The results obtained from this activity are increase participants’ ability related to making organic fertilizers and understanding sustainable land management, and participants are able to understand about the Sipindo and the use of fertilizer information contained in the application. In detail, 69% participants were able to well-understand the training material. Based on the benefit aspect, 70% of participants stated that the training was very useful.

Effects of straw returning combined with blended controlled-release urea fertilizer on crop yields, greenhouse gas emissions, and net ecosystem economic benefits: A nine-year field trial

Although straw returning combined with blended controlled-release urea fertilizer (BUFS) has been shown to improve wheat-maize rotation system productivity, their effects on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, carbon footprints (CF), and net ecosystem economic benefits (NEEB) are still unknown. Life cycle assessment was used to investigate a long-term (2013–2022) wheat-maize rotation experiment that included straw combined with two N fertilizer types [BUFS and (conventional urea fertilizer) CUFS] and straw-free treatments (BUF and CUF). The results showed that BUFS and CUFS treatments increased the annual yield by 13.8% and 11.5%, respectively, compared to BUF and CUF treatments. The BUFS treatment increased the yearly yield by 13.8% compared to the CUFS treatment. Since BUFS and CUFS treatments increased soil organic carbon (SOC) sink sequestration by 25.0% and 27.0% compared to BUF and CUF treatments, they reduced annual GHG emissions by 7.1% and 4.7% and CF per unit of yield (CFY) by 13.7% and 9.6%, respectively. BUFS treatment also increased SOC sink sequestration by 20.3%, reduced GHG emissions by 10.7% and CFY by 23.0% compared to CUFS treatment. It is worth noting that the BUFS and CUFS treatments increased the annual ecological costs by 41.6%, 26.9%, and health costs by 70.1% and 46.7% compared to the BUF and CUF treatments, but also increased the net yield benefits by 9.8%, 6.8%, and the soil nutrient cycling values by 29.2%, 27.3%, and finally improved the NEEB by 10.1%, 7.3%, respectively. Similar results were obtained for the BUFS treatment compared to the CUFS treatment, ultimately improving the NEEB by 23.1%. Based on assessing yield, GHG emissions, CF, and NEEB indicators, the BUFS treatment is recommended as an ideal agricultural fertilization model to promote sustainable and clean production in the wheat-maize rotation system and to protect the agroecological environment.

Determination of the optimal concentration of organic fertilizers for the sowing qualities of crops using the example of pumpkin

The research of the effectiveness of the obtained fertilizers impact on the sowing characteristics of pumpkin seeds Cucurbita pepo L. was conducted at the Center for Collective Use "Advanced Technologies and Materials" of the Sevastopol State University. The work provides data on the effect of organic fertilizers based on vermicompost and chicken manure on the sowing qualities of pumpkin seeds. A comparative analysis of the energy of germination and laboratory viability of the seeds, root and sprout growth of the agricultural crop Cucurbita pepo L. was carried out. To compare the results obtained, the certified fertilizers “Power of Growth” and “Riverm” based on vermicompost were taken. The optimal concentration of chicken manure was identified with a concentration of 200 mg per 2 liters based on the germination energy, the values were 87% and the viability 95%. Also, the increase in the sprout length for the fertilizer based on chicken manure was 127.7%, which is 15% more than the “Power of Growth” fertilizer. Test samples based on vermicompost gave negative results: root growth – minus 21.9%, negative shoot growth – minus 6.3%. A method for producing new types of organic fertilizers based on chicken manure, based on the cavitation effect, has been described. An assessment of the effectiveness of using fertilizers for an agricultural crop – pumpkin Cucurbita pepo L. has been made.

Interactive effects of environmental factors and fertilization practices on soil nitrate leaching and tea productivity in Tianmu Lake Basin, China

Although the effects of fertilization practices and environmental factors on tea yield and NO3−–N leaching have been acknowledged, the interactive effects of these influencing factors remain unknown. These effects were investigated in this study using the denitrification–decomposition (DNDC) model, which was validated using field data collected from a typical tea garden hillslope in the Tianmu Lake Basin, China. Environmental factors such as temperature, precipitation intensity, slope, saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat), and fertilization practices (fertilizer amount and type) were combined to construct 1080 scenarios. The results revealed that DNDC achieved acceptable performance in simulating NO3−–N leaching under the application of a compound fertilizer (CF) and a slow-release fertilizer (SF). During the calibration period, the Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) values were 0.48 and 0.24. During the validation period, the NSE values were 0.71 and 0.67. Scenario analysis indicated that precipitation intensity (p < 0.001), saturated soil hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) (p < 0.001), fertilizer amount (p < 0.001), and fertilizer type (p < 0.001) significantly influenced the leaching flux of NO3−–N and tea yield. The interactive effects of different factors also varied across the different types of fertilizers. The amount of fertilizer had the most significant impact on NO3−–N leaching, with relative contribution rates of 70% and 53% for compound and SFs, respectively. As CF application increased, there was a significant increase (93%) in the average flux, whereas SF application resulted in an increase of only 76%. The highest contribution rate in terms of tea yield was observed for the amount of fertilizer under CF application at 44%. However, the highest contribution rate under SF application was attributed to Ksat at 51%. The application of SFs resulted in a higher yield improvement rate than that of CFs as the fertilizer amount increased, with respective rates of 15% and 8%. Additionally, environmental factors, excluding temperature, exerted opposite effects on tea production and NO3−–N leaching flux. These findings contribute to optimizing fertilization management in tea plantations by integrating multiple environmental factors to control nonpoint nitrogen loss. Future research should conduct long-term monitoring of tea garden yield and nitrogen loss to accurately assess the impact of SF application on the ecological and economic benefits of tea gardens.